At dusk, the sun sets in the west, and the shadows of the night invade the city in the afterglow of the setting sun.

On the city wall, a middle-aged general in armor stood with a sword, listening to the sound of the city gate closing below the city, and his heart was slightly relieved.

The city of Suilin, where he was stationed, was adjacent to Denglong Pass, and although the city was small, it was a necessary place for Qu Zhen, the general of Zhennan who guarded the front, to transport grain and grass. The imperial court sent him to guard this place, and it was precisely because of his prudence and seriousness that he took a fancy to him.

It's just that for some reason, he always has a feeling of horror these days, as if something is about to happen.

"General!"

Just as Chen Zan frowned and pondered, a personal guard went up to the city wall, walked quickly to his side, and said in a low voice:

"Jiang Fangshun's guy has come to invite the general to the banquet again."

After that, the guard couldn't help but add.

"General, the little one looks at that guy as a weasel giving New Year's greetings to chickens, and he doesn't have a good heart!"

Before the words fell, he noticed that his general's eyes had become serious, and the guards hurriedly stopped their mouths, not daring to say more.

"In the past two years, although Jiang Fangshun has been a businessman, he has contributed a lot to transporting grain and grass for my Dachu, so you can't be rude to him."

Seeing that the guards nodded again and again, Chen Zanfang retracted his gaze, cast his gaze to the distant mountains outside the city again, and said leisurely:

However, although his people have made great efforts, according to the general view, it is his heart that is not right. In the past two years, he has always wanted to win over Ben Jiang and let Ben General get on his boat, but Ben General has sternly refused him every time, and I think the same is true this time......"

"Well, the general meant, this banquet...... Pushed? However, I heard that this surnamed Jiang invited the officials and generals in the city, as well as the rich squires. ”

The guard asked cautiously.

Chen Zan shook his head with a wry smile and said:

"Jiang Fangshun came this time and brought a large amount of grain and grass, which was exactly what General Zhennan needed. If Ben had turned it away, I don't know how many twists and turns would have happened. The business is important, and Ben will accompany the old fox for the time being. ”

Although there is no good feast, it is impossible to say who is the fox and who is the chicken......

"Go and inform the guards at the city gate that the army's grain and grass are about to be delivered, let them be more vigilant!"

With that, Chen Zan threw off his cloak and strode down the city tower.

"I want to see, what kind of medicine is sold in this Jiang Fangshun gourd?"

Suilin City, Jiang family's mansion, study.

Hearing the report of the next person, saying that Chen Zan, the guard of Suilin City, would go to the banquet tonight, Jiang Fangshun's face flashed with joy, and he stroked his palms and smiled:

"This time, the humble position is entrusted to the lord Huwei, otherwise, I don't know if this stinky stone will enter the game!"

The plain-robed man sitting on the throne waved his hand and said:

"If this matter can be successful, I will personally ask for credit for you at Your Majesty's place! However, once everything is arranged, can it be safe? ”

Jiang Fangshun patted his chest and promised:

"Your Excellency, rest assured, since I received a letter from Shenjing, I have spent all my time on contacting around during the New Year's Festival, and I have said that the patriarchs of several small tribes in Miaojiang will be mobilized as long as our side succeeds, and they will seize Denglong Pass overnight and seal the back road of Qu Zhennan."

Hearing this, the plain-robed man raised his eyebrows and asked with interest:

"Flying Wing Gu? In this way, these Miao Jiang people have also contacted the Five Immortals Sect? ”

Jiang Fangshun smiled and said:

"My lord, in this Miao Territory, the prestige of the Five Immortal Sect is a few points stronger than that of the Great Chu Mansion. If it weren't for the nod of the Five Immortal Sect, how would these tribes dare to do such a beheading business? ”

"That's true, it seems that the new sect leader of the Five Immortals Sect can't sit still......"

The plain-robed man chuckled a few times, looked at Jiang Fangshun, and admonished:

"Your side is related to the overall situation of my country, and you must not be careless. I heard that Chen Zan is a general, and he has always been old and respectful, and he has won the trust of Qu Zhen, so he was arranged to guard here. Those who travel a hundred miles are half ninety, but don't fall short, otherwise Your Majesty will blame you, and I won't be able to eat and walk around. ”

"Rest assured, the 'Spring Breeze Crisp' purchased from the Jin Kingdom for this humble job is colorless and tasteless. Even if the eight-rank powerhouse smells it, it will be soft and crispy, and it is difficult to mention the true qi. Jiang Fangshun smiled, "However, just in case, please also ask the adults to send the secret guards to prevent anyone from escaping." ”

Hearing this, the plain-robed man thought for a moment, and then said:

"The stakes are too high to be overlooked, and nothing goes wrong. It is reasonable for you to be so careful, and this matter is according to your wishes. ”

"Thank you for your understanding!"

Jiang Fangshun thanked him.

At this time, another subordinate came to tell the invitation, saying that the invited officials and generals, rich squires had come one after another, and the guard general Chen Zan had also arrived outside the door.

"My lord is sitting here, and I will go to welcome this Chen Zan in person!"

"You go yourself, be careful not to show flaws and attract vigilance."

The plain-robed man raised the teacup in his hand and said lightly.

…………

The new concubine in the harem was a happy thing for Zhao Yu, but soon, his joy was completely extinguished by a letter from southern Xinjiang.

Funing Palace, in addition to the Zihuan Palace, is Zhao Yu's favorite residence.

But today, the Funing Palace has gathered an unprecedented number of important ministers of the Chu State.

"Secretaries-"

Zhao Yu pinched the newspaper in his hand, forcibly suppressed the anger in his chest, and squeezed out from between his teeth word by word.

"The Military Intelligence Department urgently reported that Miaojiang Quli rebelled, Suilin City was lost, and the guard Chen Zan was killed!"

As soon as these words came out, the ministers were in an uproar.

Although he learned from Xiao Huang's door, who came to deliver the decree, that His Majesty was urgently summoned because of important military discussions, no one expected that the matter would be so serious.

"Your Majesty, is what the Military Intelligence Department is telling you true?"

The privy envoy Wang Pu had a serious face and asked.

Zhao Yu waved his hand, his voice slightly tired.

"The Military Intelligence Department played with a red secret letter...... It is estimated that in two days, the military department will also get the news. ”

He never expected that Suilin City, which he thought was the safest and least likely to have an accident, would be captured by the rebels.

Three days ago, Jiang Fangshun, a merchant from Miaojiang, drunk all the high-level officials of Suilin City with wine, and then killed dozens of city gate guards, opened the city gate, and let the rebels enter the city, so that overnight, Suilin City changed hands.

After the guard Chen Zan was captured, he swore not to obey the thief, was hacked to death by the rebels, and his body was hung on the city gate for public display.

When Wang Pu heard this, his pupils shrank.

Now, things are in trouble.

As soon as the military intelligence department responds to the information, the red color is the most urgent, which has the meaning of "military intelligence is like fire".

"Let's discuss how the imperial court should deal with this rebellion in Miaojiang." Zhao Yu said, and motioned to Gao Lishi, who was standing on the side, to hang the map of the southwest of Dachu on the screen, for a major minister to observe and make a decision.

When Wang Pu and the others heard this, they got up and arched their hands to Zhao Yu, and then walked quickly to the map and looked at it carefully.

Gao Lishi held the candlestick, and the candlelight illuminated the picture brightly, reflecting Wang Pu's serious expression.

After watching half a cup of tea, Wang Pu took the lead in speaking:

"Your Majesty, the military situation is like fire, and we must not delay for half a minute. In the opinion of the ministers, they should quickly send troops to suppress the rebellion. If it is delayed for a long time, not only will it be difficult to support the lonely trees in the south of Quzhen, but even the south of the Jianing River will be in danger of capsizing! ”

Zhang Xiu, the commander of the front division of the palace, also said:

"What the king said is very true, Suilin City is the only way to Annam. If the rebels gain a firm foothold in Suilin City and then control Denglong Pass, then Annan Mansion will be left alone, and Qu Zhennan, who is stationed in Annan Prefecture, will be even more lonely.

If Myanmar is in trouble at this time, then Quzhen is in danger.

Not only that, there are few mountains and many hilly plains north of Suilin City, and there is almost no danger to defend. The rebels occupied Suilin City, and the gates of the four prefectures on the south bank of the Jianing River were wide open.

If you don't deal with it properly, it will be as the old lady said! I beg your majesty to send troops to quell the rebellion quickly! ”

Zhao Yu rubbed his eyebrows and said impatiently:

"Needless to say, I also know that the situation is critical. But what I want to know is, where to send troops and who to send as generals? ”

Zhang Xiu pointed to the map and said loudly:

"After the rebels take Suilin City, the next step must be to take Jiaxing Mansion and expand their forces. The minister asked His Majesty to immediately increase the troops in Ningtongcheng. As long as you hold the city, the rebels will suffer a heavy setback! As long as the rebels can be delayed for more than ten days, the imperial army can successfully cross the river, sweep the caves of these rebels, and cut them all. ”

"Your Majesty, Commander Zhang is the best policy, and the minister seconds it!"

Wang Pu's voice echoed in the Funing Palace.

Huang Zhong and other military figures also agreed.

Seeing that everyone in the military had reached an agreement, Zhao Yu didn't say anything more, nodded and said, "So, who went to Ningtong to defend against the rebels?" ”

As soon as these words came out, there was silence in the Funing Palace.

Looking at the ministers, Zhao Yu became more and more depressed in his heart.

After a moment of silence, Cao Huan, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, muttered: "Your Majesty, there is one person recommended by the minister, who can lead the army to the enemy. ”

"Speak!"

"Your Majesty," Cao Huan arched his hand, "this person is Fang Zhe, the magistrate of Yixuan County, Ningyuan Prefecture, who is familiar with military affairs and is friendly to the people. In Yixuan Renzhi County for three years, the local people praised each other, and the surrounding thieves and water bandits were extinct, which was a rare person who was both civil and military. ”

Zhao Yu thought for a while, nodded and said:

"That's the case, according to what Du Qing said."

Immediately, Zhao Yu issued an edict to transfer Fang Zhe to guard Ningtong, and dispatched 3,000 soldiers from the prefectures on the north bank of the Jianing River to Ningtong.

"Your Majesty."

Seeing Zhao Yuzhun playing by himself, Du Ming was happy in his heart and spoke.

Unexpectedly, at this time, a small yellow door hurriedly entered the Funing Palace, Gao Lishi stopped at the palace gate, took the report in his hand, and walked quickly to Zhao Yu's side.

"Your Majesty, Miao Jiang of the Military Intelligence Department is urgent!"

Zhao Yu's face changed slightly, he stretched out his hand to take it, opened it and looked at it, and said with a long sigh:

"Zhongqing, Denglong Pass, lost!"

"So fast?"

When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but be shocked.

"Your Majesty, you can't delay it any longer!" Wang Pu said solemnly, "The imperial court must send troops to quell the rebellion before the rebels sit down!" ”

"Wang Shumi, I ask you, where did the counterinsurgency troops and horses come from, and who is the leader of the army?"

Zhao Yu frowned and asked.

"The leader of the army will be free to be judged by His Majesty. However, the mobilization of soldiers and horses is not a day's work, and the intention of the old minister is to transfer some soldiers and horses from the Beijing camp, and gather some soldiers and horses from various prefectures along the way to jointly quell the rebellion. This matter cannot be delayed for too long, otherwise the Burmese country will send troops when they hear the news, and the rear of Quzhen South will be unstable, so how can they rest assured that they can resist the enemy? In addition, Annan alone could not supply the soldiers and horses under the command of Qu Zhennan with food and grass. ”

Wang Pu said in a deep voice.

"Well, according to the king's secret words! Commander Zhang, Governor Huang, you and the soldiers will make a list within three days to see where the soldiers and horses can be mobilized. In addition, let the household department prepare all the supplies and forage needed for the expedition as soon as possible. ”

Zhao Yu is also a decisive person, and immediately ordered.

Zhang Xiu, Huang Zhong and others bowed down to receive the order.

(End of chapter)